Smoke likely visible north side of Grand Mesa (05-15-13)

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Smoke could be visible north of Grand Mesa Thursday as fire managers from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit plan a prescribed burn to improve public land conditions.

The 900 acre prescribed burn will improve wildlife habitat and reduce fuel load for the upcoming fire season. The fire will take place on both Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management public lands on Nick Mountain - Bald Mountain units.

The predominately oak brush fire will produce smoke likely visible from Mesa, Collbran, Molina, and other parts of Plateau Valley. The fire should take approximately two days to burn and will only be ignited if weather conditions allow for a safe, effective burn.

According to Chris Farinetti, UCR Fire Management Officer, “We will only initiate this prescribed burn if conditions are within the required parameters and we can expect a safe, effective burn.” He went on to explain that firefighter and public safety are our number one priority and concern.

Each prescribed burn conducted by the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit has a detailed fire plan developed well in advance that includes environmental analysis. Appropriate smoke permits are also obtained from the State of Colorado in advance of the burn. A burn plan specifies conditions and criteria that must be met prior to initiating the burn. Fire officials expect prescribed conditions Thursday and will proceed with the burn only if prescribed conditions are met.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of Americas public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.